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| Travel
& Bird Flu |
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Traveling in general can be a complicated experience. There are those who fear getting on airplanes,
afraid of the high altitudes, and perhaps terrified of terrorist attacks. It is a problem thousands
of people (young and old) face. Unfortunately, due to the recent news of potential pandemics like the
bird flu, many are even more apprehensive to travel. Luckily, there are ways to get around this fear.
The risk of picking up the bird flu while on vacation is highly unlikely. Although there have been a
number of rare cases, there is yet to be evidence that proves humans can transfer the disease to one another.
There are many ways to
prevent sickness when traveling.
The most important thing to do is make sure you are not ill in the first place! Having a low immune system while
traveling can heighten your chances of catching something. It is also always essential to bring medication and wash
your hands frequently. Before leaving, you should make sure that all of your shots are up to date. Visiting a doctor
will not only calm your worries, but you will be safer if you get the right vaccinations beforehand. Another great
tip is to make a health kit which includes a thermometer and various medications. Also contacting your insurance
plan is a must. Making sure you have enough
coverage overseas
is crucial. It also may be smart to buy additional medical insurance incase an incident were to occur. If a sickness
persists for more than a few days, contacting the local medical center is the smartest action to take. It will
allow you to pinpoint your illness and the authorities will contact your friends and family immediately.
If you know that you are going to an infected area (i.e. places like Asia), there are also different
prevention strategies. One should constantly avoid places with infection, and stay away from live
poultry or poultry farms. It is also wise to make sure all of your food is cooked. The possibility
is rare, but Avian Flu can also be transmitted through uncooked poultry. Even if you are no where
near a potentially hazard area, it is wise to continue washing your hands. This will eliminate any
bacteria that may already be looking to seek you out!
After returning from your trip, it is smart for you to monitor your health for two weeks. If you do indeed become sick during this time, it is smart to seek a doctor
immediately. This may be a coincidence and just another illness, but it is always safe to double check. When going to the doctors, make sure you provide accurate information. Include the areas you traveled, suspicious foods you may have consumed, and especially your symptoms. This will allow the doctor to make a more specific diagnosis and will let him narrow in on what you may have. Leaving out details will only hurt you in the long run.
Overall, travel is completely safe and normal. Although it may be safer to avoid the most infected places, the tips above will keep you healthy and comfortable. Always remember that hype and anxiety are the biggest things that makes us feel so sick! When one gets the idea in their head that they may be heading for disaster and sickness, it is much more likely that they will not feel well. Traveling is meant for enjoyment and happiness. Therefore, ruining it with anxiety will not help. Enjoy yourself and worry only if need be.
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